Italy Sightseeing

[bbangel]

Has anyone climbed the domes of the churches in Italy? Is it worth the climb and the Euros?
I'm trying to decide whether or not to do this particularily in Florence.
Any other advice about don't miss sights? We will be in Rome, Sorrento, Capri, Assisi, Venice, Milan and Florence.
Thanks!

 

[rie'smom]

I never have done this but wow would I love it. Imagine the views. Thanks for the idea.

 

[SydSim]

You may want to check out Cruisecritic.com. They have forums specifically for travel to those areas. Here is a link:




http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=234&page=2&order=desc


good luck.

 

[bbangel]

You may want to check out Cruisecritic.com. They have forums specifically for travel to those areas. Here is a link:




http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=234&page=2&order=desc


good luck.

Thanks, I'm not going on a cruise but there may be some useful threads there.

 

[auntpolly]

I've never gone up the duomo in Florence - I climbed the bell tower next to it and that was just as cool, IMO. I think it's called Giotto . It's right beside the Duomo and free - it's fun to look at the tiny ant sized people on the top of the duomo when you are at the top of the bell tower!

 

[wendy46001]

Has anyone climbed the domes of the churches in Italy? Is it worth the climb and the Euros?
I'm trying to decide whether or not to do this particularily in Florence.
Any other advice about don't miss sights? We will be in Rome, Sorrento, Capri, Assisi, Venice, Milan and Florence.
Thanks!

Climb the dome...its worth the trip...
Rome...hit the big ones...also its worth the money for the guided tour through the forum....dont bother with the subway it doesn’t go anywhere …also take time to visit the Vatican…the art alone is worth it
Rent a scooter in Capri or get a message, also the food is wonderful
Venice pay the extra euro to go to the top of St. Marks...also take a boat trip to the island of Murano, the glass is a lot cheaper then the main island...take time to sit and listen to the string quartet in the square...

 

[Mouse House Mama]

In Capri make dure you take the boat trip inside the blue grotto. It is beautiful.

 

[auntpolly]

I should say too that I know Rome pretty well - I'm there for work a couple of times a year and love it. If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask here or in a PM.

 

[bbangel]

I should say too that I know Rome pretty well - I'm there for work a couple of times a year and love it. If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask here or in a PM.

Thanks Aunt Polly. I may take you up on that once I get stuff a little more sorted. Trying to see a lot without overloading the schedule. I'm finding it hard to judge how close together some of these sites are. Like is it easy to walk from the Colesseum to the Borghese garden?

 

[auntpolly]

Thanks Aunt Polly. I may take you up on that once I get stuff a little more sorted. Trying to see a lot without overloading the schedule. I'm finding it hard to judge how close together some of these sites are. Like is it easy to walk from the Colesseum to the Borghese garden?

It's pretty far - but it's a really easy metro ride! And cheap! I think it's 30 Euro for a month's unlimited use - I get the month no matter how long I'm there. (maybe 75 cents per use or a couple of Euro a day - depends how much you want to use it.)

I don't know I have walked it, and there's plenty to see in between, though.

 

[CJBaby]

The walk up St. Peter's Basilica is crazy but amazing! And we paid extra to take the lift for part of the way. In some parts you literally have to turn the top of your body diagonally to climb small spiral stairs. There were times we would stop when faced with a tiny porthole in front of us and say, "are we supposed to go that way?" But when you reach the top, the view is unmatched.

Also, a little tip: When you are visiting the Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain,) you have to stop in the little market in one corner and have them heat you up a rice filled tomato (when in season.) They are out of this world. Also, seek out arancina (rice balls) and have them heated and enjoy!
I have traveled all over Italy over many years, so if you have any questions, feel free to pm me!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Just hope you have put aside enough time for the Vatican......we surely didn't (both trips).

You know it is big but it is just unbelievable!!!

 

[bbangel]

Thanks everyone. Always good to have a list of food to try. Already am making it my mission to find the best gelato in Italy. It will be a sacrifice but one I am willing to make.
For the Vatican, I'm trying to research key things I want to see so I don't feel so overwhelmed. I find it helps to narrow it down and know you can never see it all (just like a visit to Disney!)

 

[auntpolly]

Thanks everyone. Always good to have a list of food to try. Already am making it my mission to find the best gelato in Italy. It will be a sacrifice but one I am willing to make.
For the Vatican, I'm trying to research key things I want to see so I don't feel so overwhelmed. I find it helps to narrow it down and know you can never see it all (just like a visit to Disney!)

Get a guide if that's in your budget. It's a real time saver, because there's so much there and not everything is that interesting. The line has been so long lately because they cut the hours, and there are guides that claim to let you skip the line . Not sure because I've never done that, but it would be worth looking into.

I'll be there for most of the month of June, so let me know if you need something.

 

[megan2346]

We did the duomo in Florence and ST Peter's in Rome and loved both. It is amazing I am so glad we did it and would do it again.

 

[wendy46001]

In Capri make dure you take the boat trip inside the blue grotto. It is beautiful.

Love this in capri...bring extra $$...they charge you for every step of the way but so worth it...

As for food...
Oh i'll think of the name...but near the coliseum there is a little restaurant that has and appetizer of a meatball stuffed into an olive that is deep fried....one of the best things we ate there...and we ate all sorts of great things…
As for gelato…don’t leave before you try the pistachio flavor

 

[bbangel]

I have the Rick Steves guidebook for Italy and I've read a number of others. It can be hard to judge distances and the value of the experience. Things that sound great on paper sometimes don't live up to expectations so I was looking for personal experiences. Thanks to everyone who shared.

We are hoping the weather is good when we are on Capri so we can do a sail around the island and hopefully get into the grotto. I have a feeling this trip is going to be finding all the places I want to come back to and spend more time.